Emily Joan Scroggs

1934 ∼ 2018

Emily Joan Schroeder Scroggs was born on the Fourth of July, 1934, and left this world on October 27, 2018, after a prolonged struggle with pneumonia. The daughter of the late Reverend Louis Clarence and Emma (Johannaber) Schroeder, Emily was raised in Milton, Massachusetts, attending the East Congregational Church where her father was pastor. During high school she met the love of her life, James R. Scroggs, and they were married in New Hampshire on October 27, 1952. A formal church wedding followed in June of 1955. They welcomed a daughter, Elizabeth Anne, in 1960 and a son, James Michael, in 1962.

Emily earned her Bachelor's Degree from Simmons College and worked for the Division of the Blind as a social worker in the Boston area for five years. In 1967, the family moved to Bridgewater, Massachusetts, where Jim would fulfill his teaching career at Bridgewater State College. Emily earned her Master’s Degree in Library Science at BSC and worked at the Bridgewater Public Library for 30 years, including as Head of Circulation. She read more than 100 books per year, preferring historical fiction and mysteries. Emily's other great loves were art, music, and travel. She and Jim voyaged to Europe many times, visiting the great museums and cathedrals, and to the American West, enjoying its vast beauty. In her retirement, Emily exercised her artistic and poetic talents with the hobby of creating personalized cards for birthdays and other special occasions for family and friends. She was an accomplished harpsichordist and studied both performance and composition into her 80’s. She had a quick wit and relished wordplay. Above all, Emily lived for her children and grandchildren. Although she faced many medical challenges in the second half of her life, Emily carried on with great strength and endurance. She was a member of the Trinity Episcopal Church in Bridgewater and cherished her faith.

Emily was preceded in death by her parents and her only sibling, Carol Ann Knapton. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, James R. Scroggs of Bridgewater; daughter Elizabeth Day (Fred) of Rehoboth; son Michael (Connie Graham) of Hood River, Oregon; grandchildren Zachary Day (Tori), Joseph Day, Mary Grace Day, Catherine Day, Peter Day, Emily Day; great grandson Jaxson Day; sister-in-law Shirley Jacobus (Jack); brother-in-law David Knapton; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held in the Prophett-Chapman Cole & Gleason Funeral Home 98 Bedford Street Bridgewater Tuesday, October 30th from 4-7:00pm.

A Funeral Service will be held in Trinity Episcopal Church 91 Main Street Bridgewater Thursday November 1st at 9:00am.

Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery East Bridgewater.

In lieu of flowers donations in honor of Emily may be made to My Brother’s Keeper 534 Washington Street North Easton, MA 02356

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